Moonal-Pheasants. 263 



" Mountaineer," as quoted by Dr. 

 Jerdon, has along and interesting account 

 of the habits of this beautiful bird, from 

 which I give a few extracts : — " The 

 Monaul is found on almost every hill of any 

 elevation, from the first great ridge above 

 the plains to the limits of the wooded 

 district, and in the interior it is the most 

 numerous of the game birds. When the 

 hills near Mussooree were first visited by 

 Europeans, it was found to be common 

 there, and a few may still be seen on the 

 same ridge eastwards from Landour. In 

 summer, when the rank vegetation which 

 springs up in the forest renders it im- 

 possible to see many yards around, few 

 are to be met with, except near the 

 summits of the great ridges jutting from 

 the snow, where in the morning and 

 evening, when they come out to feed, 

 they may be seen in the open glades 

 of the forest and on the green slopes 

 above. At that time no one would 

 imagine they were half so numerous as 

 they really are ; but as the cold season 

 approaches and the rank grass and herbage 

 decay, they begin to collect together, the 

 wood seems full of them, and in some 

 places hundreds may be put up in a day's 

 work. In summer the greater number of 



